What is the status of Abu Bakr Al-Baqillani among scholars?

Judge Abu Bakr Al-Baqillani was an Imam and a great scholar, author of exquisite works, and a paragon of understanding and intelligence. He was trustworthy, an expert Imam, who authored works refuting opposing sects and championed the methodology of Abu Al-Hasan Al-Ash'ari, with some differences. Judge Iyad nicknamed him "The Sword of the Sunnah" and "The Tongue of the Ummah," and he was the leader of the Malikis in his time. He undertook diplomatic missions during which he displayed his astuteness and quick wit. He passed away in the year 403 AH, and his funeral was well-attended. He was a sword against the Mu'tazila, the Rafidah, and the Mushabbiha, and most of his principles adhered to the Sunnah. He followed the approach of the Ash'ari theologians in matters of creed, yet he was among those closest to the Sunnah. Ibn Taymiyyah praised him extensively, describing him as the best of the theologians affiliated with Al-Ash'ari.